Don’t Quit, Pivot: How to Increase Happiness in the Workplace

In the quiet moments between meetings or during your commute, have you ever caught yourself wondering, "Is this all there is to my career?" You're not alone. The gnawing feeling of professional dissatisfaction is a common, yet deeply personal experience.

While the idea of dramatically quitting your job might seem appealing, it's rarely the magic solution it appears to be. In fact, studies suggest that simply changing jobs often fails to address the root causes of career dissatisfaction. So, before you draft that resignation letter, let's explore some alternatives that could reignite your professional passion:

Don’t quit, pivot

Think of your career like a chess game. Sometimes, the most powerful moves aren't the big, sweeping changes, but the subtle repositioning of pieces. Start by mapping out what aspects of your current role energize you and which drain you. Could you shift your responsibilities to focus more on the elements you enjoy? Or perhaps there's an unexplored niche within your company that aligns better with your interests?

You can’t run away from yourself

Here's a hard truth: wherever you go, there you are. Changing your external circumstances won't resolve internal conflicts. Take a moment to consider: Do you receive similar feedback across different areas of your life? Are there patterns in your professional relationships that follow you from job to job? Understanding these patterns is the first step to breaking them.

Find your personal purpose

Purpose is the compass that can guide your career decisions. Reflect on questions like: What problems do you feel compelled to solve? Whose lives do you want to impact? What legacy do you want to leave in your field? Your answers might reveal opportunities for fulfillment right where you are.

The goal isn't to radically overhaul your life overnight. Instead, aim for heightened awareness that allows you to make small, strategic adjustments when you feel off course.

Don’t Quit, Pivot: How to Increase Happiness in the Workplace

Pause. Take a look at your life. Look internally. Think long and hard about what’s making you unhappy in your current situation. Get really clear about it. We spend time on our business goals, but how much time do we spend understanding our personal goals or purpose?

First, you need to figure out what fulfills you and gives you purpose in your work. What do you want? How would you like your life to be in this new phase? The goal is to be more aware so that you can make little changes in your life when you need to get yourself back on track. We begin the journey by defining our purpose and mission in life to realign ourselves without having to give up everything. 

Once we better understand our personal purpose and create awareness for ourselves, all other decisions we make in life, whether at work or home, become easier. It’s because we ensure those decisions align with our personal purpose, and we shift them as needed.

Then if you truly think that changing jobs is right for you, look for companies or small businesses where you can do the things that make you feel like your work and life are worthwhile. 
Ready for a change? ​​Listen to my podcast episode B3 Breaks (B3 = Business, Balance & Bliss): Crafting Your Personal Purpose Statement. Learn how to create a personal purpose statement that will guide your decisions and help you realize the value you want to bring to the world.

Remember, the most profound changes often start with a simple question: What small step can you take today towards aligning your career with your personal purpose?